EP30: Dan Martell’s story – from rehab to San Francisco

Dan Martell discovered computers in rehab. After he overcame his problems with drugs, he taught himself to program. From there, he started building businesses. Eventually, he travelled to San Francisco to learn everything he could from the startup scene.
You might recognize his former product: Flowtown, and his current one: Clarity. In this episode Dan shares his story from the beginning, and how he overcame a difficult beginning to build his own products.

Dan Martell discovered computers in rehab. After he overcame his problems with drugs, he taught himself to program. From there, he started building businesses. Eventually, he travelled to San Francisco to learn everything he could from the startup scene.

You might recognize his former product: Flowtown, and his current one: Clarity. In this episode Dan shares his story from the beginning, and how he overcame a difficult beginning to build his own products.

Notable quotes

“I had a hard upbringing, my mother was an alcoholic. I was removed from my home.”

“Built tree forts, when I was 8 or 9, and I would charge the other kids to come play in them”

“I’ve always been into building and selling stuff… so I took to selling drugs.”

“It was in rehab that I discovered computers. I learned to build stuff that wasn’t illegal.”

“A lot of the stuff you learn selling drugs, translates to business acumen.”

“Clarity’s foundation is getting advice from people that have been there before. ”

“You should only get advice from people that have been there before.”

“My uncle was selling roller blades in his basement.”

“As soon as possible, your company needs to make money. If you can get anyone to show up and pay you $1, you’ve made it on the internet.”

“People don’t [charge money for their products], because they’re scared that their product sucks.”

“It took me a few failed attempts before I made my first million.”

“When I was 21, I was hired to work for an oil company in the tar sands. My job title was Solutions Architect.”

“I almost went bankrupt in 6 weeks.”

“I became a millionaire when I was 27.”

“I get 3-4 venture cap firms cold emailing me every week.”

Show notes

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